But he has scored 30 tries in 69 Wales appearances and is a proven performer at the highest level.

North’s fellow British and Irish Lion Liam Williams, who was due to resume full training with the Wales squad on Monday following an abdominal injury, is not involved.

Scott Williams scored the winning try the last time England lost a Six Nations match at Twickenham.

North made a try-scoring return for his club in their Anglo-Welsh Cup victory over Harlequins last Friday, but Gatland has opted to retain starting wings Josh Adams, who wins his second cap, and Steff Evans.

Gatland said: “It’s great to name an unchanged starting XV.

“The players deserve that for a very good performance on the opening weekend.

“We have made one change on the bench, with George coming in for Owen (Watkin), which is tough on Owen but Josh (Adams) picked up a slight strain last weekend, so George provides us a bit more cover there.

“We know how tough it is going to be against that huge English forward pack. They are really going to test us.

“England have been in great form the last couple of years, so we know the challenge we face, but we have had a good couple of weeks in camp and we are looking forward to going up to Twickenham.”

Wales were the last team to beat England in a Six Nations Test match at Twickenham, winning 19-12 six years ago when centre Scott Williams scored a try five minutes from time.

Since then, England have reeled off 14 successive home victories in the tournament, while they are also chasing an unprecedented hat-trick of Six Nations titles this term.

“The pleasing thing against Italy was that we invented stuff that gave us momentum. George and Owen together, they see the game better than anyone.

“I still don’t know if my view of those two has changed. The best option may be Ford and Ben Te’o, the best option might be Farrell and Ben Te’o, or we might want Alex Lozowski in there.

“We’re not sure but we keep looking and George and Owen together give us plenty of options.

“They’re getting a great understanding together on how to play and use their collective talent. Those are key words for us because our game is based on collective talent.

“We don’t have a lot of guys individually who can run through brick walls, so we’ve got to do it through collective talent.”

Jones was delighted by the dominance of his scrum in the successful start to their title defence at the Stadio Olimpico, describing it as the best set-piece performance of his reign and adding “that’s English rugby”.